Yesterday was important for me. Tuesday, March 27, 2012 will always be the first day I actually held one of my books in my hands. I have two little boys; this book trails along somewhere as my third child.

I am intently looking for final corrections that need to be made. After submitting those changes, I will receive a second physical proof of the book. I expect to give final approval at that point. Within days of that, the physical book will be available for purchase online. A Kindle version will also be available soon thereafter.

Friends, when I committed to writing a book in May 2010 I had no idea how ambitious of a process it would be. I don’t regret a minute of it. It has been one of the most challenging projects I have ever been a part of, and I am thankful to have had, and have, the opportunity to do this. This coming week, the first-ever physical proof of the book will arrive on my doorstep – book cover and all. I have heard from fellow authors, and I believe them, that this will be a significant moment in my life.

Seeing the actual, physical results of something that has been a labor of love for two of my 30 years – I’m not sure there are words to describe it.

I appreciate the support from all of you, especially since May 2010 when I started blabbing about writing a book. I know some of you are sick and tired of hearing about it, and at times have very likely thought it would never come to fruition. I understand. And trust me, I am ready to see the final results myself, and be able to get it in the hands of anyone interested.

Below is almost exactly how the book cover will appear. Many thanks to the amazing Tyler Clark for his design work on this project. He is a good dude that you should work with if you get the opportunity.

Formatting is the current stage. The 205-page Word document I submitted is being formatted to fit on the pages of a 5″ x 8″ book. By Monday I should know how many pages are in the book, which is a big step in the process. After that there will still be a few weeks for final cover formatting and approval of a proof of the book.

Early support for The Music Industry Doesn’t Have To Kill You, my first book which is expected to be on sale near the end of April 2012.

“John Clore takes you backstage and onstage to shine a positive light on the oft-derided music business, providing an uplifting and enlightening look at how music, and those who create and perform it, brightens our lives.” – Steve Jones, author of Brand Like A Rock Star: Lessons From Rock ‘n’ Roll To Make Your Business Rich and Famous

“A masterful collection of stories exposing the underbelly of the music industry. Prepare for your perceptions to be changed after reading the tales of every aspect of the business.” – Michael Sloane – Managing Partner and Founder, Strategic Blend; Digital Project Manager, 13 Management; Adjunct Professor, Belmont University

“In The Music Industry Doesn’t Have to Kill You, John Clore has put together an amazing collection of real-life stories from industry insiders combined with thought-provoking insights that we can all benefit from. His ability to weave these insights in and out of the compelling, first-hand accounts is impressive and provides a road map for anyone who is interested in working in this great industry.” – Justin Levenson – Manager, Licensing Operations, SESAC; The Recording Academy Nashville Chapter Board of Governors; W.O. Smith Music School Advisory Board

“John Clore is one of the most selfless individuals I know and is genuinely interested in people and their stories. From the first time I met him, John has always been someone who strives to ask questions and learn from the experience of others, to not only aid him in his own noble pursuits, but so that he can also share it for the benefit of others. This book is a glowing example of that mission. The personalities and stories within give an intriguing glance at an array of music industry professionals who each have a unique story to tell and years of wisdom to share, within a business where wisdom can be notably lacking.” – Mike Severson – VP Artist Development, Promotion & Marketing, Way Out West Records; Artist Marketing – Country Music Format, World Vision

“I took this book as a challenge to see what my generation will do for the future of music. While it is ever so important to remember what has come before us – who and what created the industry of today – we have to take hold and make it our own. We have to create our own stories, develop our own opinions and insights, learn from our mistakes and celebrate our triumphs. We can only move foward by acknowledging what has been and striving for what will be.” – Rachel Pinkerton – Baylor University, 2012 Graduate, Bachelors of Business Administration (BBA) in Music and Entertainment Marketing; Uproar Records

“First off, if you can rationalize yourself away from pursuing a career in the music industry, you definitely should! For those of us that can’t, however, The Music Industry Doesn’t Have To Kill You provides real stories from real industry legends with real advice about how to survive and prosper.” – Alex White – Co-Founder & CEO, Next Big Sound

“John’s book hits you with every turn, driving home the reality of what this business really is, in totality, with honesty and truth. It’s a must-read for anyone in the business, anyone who wants into the business or any music fan wanting to better understand the many passionate people it takes to create great records and live entertainment.” – Angela-Marie Lampton – President, SunFire Entertainment

Why do you do what you do? I don’t mean the fact that you go to work because you need money to pay the bills and take care of the basics. I’m asking why you approach the world and interact with people the way you do. What are you trying to accomplish? What is your mission? Do you have one? Is one necessary?

I’m not encouraging you to be on a constant crusade to convert people. I am, however, getting at how most of us have one or many objectives in life and something or things we hope or need to accomplish. These objectives may live more in your subconscious – some more than others – or they may be written on your sleeve. Either way, I’m sure you are working to accomplish something right now.

Consider your motives. Consider your strategic objective(s) and how you plan to get there. What are your goals?

As I near completion of my first book, and after having read and listened to a lot of Seth Godin and Bob Lefsetz this past week, I am really considering mine.

Why am I writing a book? What is its point? What do I want people to get from it? Who am I trying to reach? Does it matter? Does anyone care?

Oh my. These are the ever-present questions of the creative process.

My upcoming book is called The Music Industry Doesn’t Have To Kill You. I have already had plenty laugh after hearing the title. They respond with sarcastic comments and tell me that is essentially a utopian-type idea.

Others have latched on wholeheartedly.

I have put my personal mission statement together – for this first book, and pretty much anything I write – and it goes like this: To encourage people in the music industry to know history and do excellent work while treating people well.

In other words, you don’t have to be an asshole to be successful. No, not even in the music industry. And it is imperative that you know where we have come from before you try and determine where we should go. Know your history.

Back to you – what are you trying to accomplish? I encourage you to really think about your motives, and do what you need to do to bring your dreams to reality.

Why can’t we just let it be? Why do we have to dig, and ask, and stalk, and uncover the private and potentially even more heartbreaking details about the death of an icon? What is it in us that must be satiated?

I realize knowing the full story is important for us to move on, to put it to rest, but in this very sad and untimely instance of Whitney Houston’s death, I find myself simply hoping for people to leave the “rest of the story” alone.

We know she was having a hard time. We know life with Bobby wasn’t roses. We know that a superstar among superstars lives a life that 99.99% of earth’s population will never remotely understand.

Yet we can’t leave it alone. We pry. We check TMZ. We watch Nancy Grace-type “news” coverage, that, if we stop and think about it, should make us all sick during moments such as this. Look, I was just watching HLN’s coverage about Whitney, so I’m in this like the rest of us. But I continue to grow tired of it.

A good story is a good story, and the death of a musical legend in her Beverly Hills hotel room literally 24 hours before the GRAMMY Awards is a captivating story. Yes, of course. But since 99.99% or more of us cannot and will not ever understand what it was like to live Whitney’s life, I sincerely hope we can focus on the good times: her good times, and the good times she brought every single one of us.

Whitney Houston was a beautiful part of creation. She obviously had one of the best singing voices ever. Let us all pause and consider her wonderful contributions to our world. Let’s focus on the good times.

Maybe it’s because I wish I had lived through the 60s and 70s, and that’s part of the vibe she seems to be going for. Maybe it’s because I often like to like what everyone else doesn’t. Maybe it’s because I actually like her recorded music.

Either way, much has been made about Lana Del Rey of late. Every possible critic seems to be coming out of the woodwork to belittle her seemingly concocted image, fake lips and lack of stage presence. I’m not saying her Saturday Night Live performance in January 2012 was any good at all. It wasn’t.

Like her or not, she is doing something right, because she has plenty of us talking. As Steve Jones points out in his new book, Brand Like A Rock Star, the only time you need to worry is when no one cares. And the latest alleged news is that Lana cancelled her upcoming tour because of how bad SNL went. Either way, she’s making news and has us talking.

Remember, “good” or even enjoyable music is extremely subjective. Lana Del Rey is not The Eagles or Adele or The Black Keys, but she has her place.

I will continue to listen to Born To Die. I don’t really care if I’m supposed to or not.